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2 Kings 6:29

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So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

So we boiled {H1310} my son {H1121}, and did eat {H398} him: and I said {H559} unto her on the next {H312} day {H3117}, Give {H5414} thy son {H1121}, that we may eat {H398} him: and she hath hid {H2244} her son {H1121}.

So we boiled my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, 'Give your son, so that we can eat him,' but she has hidden her son."

So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.”

So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him; and she hath hid her son.

Commentary

2 Kings 6:29 records one of the most harrowing and tragic events in the Old Testament, illustrating the horrific consequences of severe famine and prolonged siege. This verse details a desperate agreement between two women in Samaria to resort to cannibalism during the siege by the Syrian (Aramean) army.

Context of 2 Kings 6:29

This verse is set during the reign of King Jehoram of Israel, when Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom, was under a brutal and extended siege by Ben-hadad, the king of Syria. The siege had led to an extreme famine, driving the city's inhabitants to unspeakable acts of desperation. Food was so scarce that an ass's head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and dove's dung for five pieces (2 Kings 6:25). The incident is brought to King Jehoram's attention by a woman crying out for justice, revealing the depth of the city's suffering.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Extreme Desperation and Human Depravity: The act of boiling and eating one's own child represents the absolute nadir of human suffering and moral collapse. It underscores how extreme conditions can strip away the most fundamental human bonds and inhibitions.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: This grim scene serves as a stark fulfillment of the curses pronounced in the Mosaic Law for disobedience, particularly Deuteronomy 28:53-57, which warned that parents would eat their own children during a siege due to extreme hunger. It also echoes the lamentation found in Lamentations 4:10 regarding the siege of Jerusalem.
  • Divine Judgment and Mercy: While a horrific display of judgment, this event also sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention through the prophet Elisha, who declares that the famine will end the very next day (2 Kings 7:1), highlighting God's ultimate sovereignty and capacity for mercy even in the direst circumstances.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's direct language, "So we boiled my son, and did eat him," conveys the stark reality of the act without embellishment. The Hebrew verb for "boiled" (בָּשַׁל, bashal) simply means to cook or boil, emphasizing the preparation for consumption. The phrase "did eat him" (וַנֹּאכְלֵהוּ, vannoklehu) is equally blunt, leaving no doubt about the horrifying deed. The raw, unsentimental description intensifies the shock and gravity of the situation.

Practical Application and Reflection

This verse is a powerful reminder of the devastating effects of war, famine, and the breakdown of societal order. It challenges us to consider:

  • The profound depths of human desperation when basic needs are unmet.
  • The importance of seeking divine intervention and trusting in God's provision, even when circumstances seem utterly hopeless.
  • The severe consequences that can arise from turning away from God's commands and protection.

While an extreme example, it underscores the value of compassion, the sanctity of life, and the critical need for peace and justice in society, contrasting sharply with the blessings of God's covenant when His people walk in obedience.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 28:53 (4 votes)

    And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee:

  • Leviticus 26:29 (4 votes)

    And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.

  • Deuteronomy 28:57 (3 votes)

    And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all [things] secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates.

  • Isaiah 49:15 (2 votes)

    Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

  • 1 Kings 3:26 (2 votes)

    Then spake the woman whose the living child [was] unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, [but] divide [it].

  • Isaiah 66:13 (2 votes)

    As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.